James Backway is currently making his West End debut as Albert Narracott in War Horse at the New London Theatre.
James’ previous work includes playing Kyle in Humans (Channel 4) and Jay in New Views (National Theatre).
Adapted by Nick Stafford from Michael Morpurgo’s novel, War Horse is now in its eighth year in London. The show, which premiered at the National Theatre in 2007 before transferring to the West End in 2009, is directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris.
I recently spoke to James about why he never thought he would star in War Horse, what makes the show so accessible and what it’s like to work with such mesmerising puppetry…
How familiar were you with War Horse before being cast in the show?
I’d seen it a few times. I was a big fan of the book and read it quite a few times as a child. Then I saw it when it first opened at the Olivier and then again when it transferred here. I actually also saw it a couple of weeks before I got the audition, I’m just a huge, huge fan of the show! I consider myself very lucky to now be a part of it.
